Often considered the greatest drummer of the rock genre and the most influential percussionist of the 1960s, but has enjoyed more limited popular success. Although he only cut top-selling records for a period of about 3 years at the end of the 1960s, virtually every drummer of every heavy metal band that has followed since that time has sought to emulate some aspect of Baker's playing.
Born in Lewisham, South London, as a teenager he trained and competed as a racing cyclist, developing strong leg muscles which later contributed to his skill on the double bass drums.
Baker had a wide range of artistic interests and was keenly interested in modern art and jazz. After taking up the trumpet in the local Air Training Corp band, he became interested in drums and bought his first drum kit at the age of 15.
After playing for only a few months, Baker got a job with a local trad jazz band. At the age of 16, he quit his job, left home and spent a year on the road.
Listening to records, Baker was influenced by drummers such as Max Roach and Phil Seamen. Applying Roach's technique, his wild and unconventional playing got him fired from a few bands, but ultimately it would develop into the rhythmic genius that would astound drummers around the world.
During the early 1960s, Ginger played in many jazz ensembles, striving to become a part of London's modern jazz circuit, but his unconventional style and short temper led to a few problems.
In 1962, Baker entered the R&B scene, joining Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated on the recommendation of Charlie Watts as the latter's replacement.
In February 1963, Baker, Graham Bond and Jack Bruce left Korner to form the Graham Bond Organisation, where he stayed until 1966. This was an especially creative period, with jazz-oriented musicians such as John McLaughlin and Dick Heckstall-Smith joining the band. During those years, Baker added a touch of jazz technique to the rock form, becoming probably the first true jazz-rock fusion drummer, and developed an extraordinary jazz-based R&B rhythm section with Bruce (although the two hated each other personally).
By this time, Baker was de facto leader of the band and eventually fired Bruce, who went on to John Mayall's Bluesbreakers where he met Eric Clapton.
By early 1966, the Graham Bond Organisation had run its course and Baker approached Clapton with a view to forming a band. Clapton insisted that Bruce come along as the third member of the trio, to which Baker reluctantly agreed. Cream was signed up by Reaction Records and soon became recognised as the leading supergroup of its day.
Baker set a new standard for drumming with Cream, especially in the studio where they were not so limited by technology as in their live performances. Memorable recordings include Baker's 13 minute drum solo on Toad, which opened up the way for the typical extended drum solos by the metal bands that came after Cream.
Cream could not survive the egos of its members and broke up within 2 years.
There then followed Blind Faith, with Clapton and Steve Winwood, which was another highly acclaimed but shortlived band, only lasting 7 months.
Out of the ashes of Blind Faith arose the group eventually known as Ginger Baker's Air Force. Initially put together for two live gigs in England, the group suddenly found its life extended to a tour and a second album. The group, which included Baker's mentor Phil Seamen and his old bandmate Graham Bond, was much too eclectic ever to achieve the kind of popularity that Cream or Blind Faith had enjoyed, embracing jazz, traditional African music, blues, folk and rock. The 10-piece band lasted less than a year before breaking up, leaving behind a fascinating and exciting live album and an interesting studio album.
In 1971, Baker decided to indulge his longtime fascination with African music first-hand and moved to Nigeria, where he built the first modern recording studio in western Africa. Over the next 3 years, he worked with a huge range of acts, including Fela and Paul McCartney's Wings, as well as recording the solo album Stravarious. He ultimately lost the studio and most of his money.
During 1974, Baker formed the Baker-Gurvitz Army Band with guitarist Adrian Gurvitz and bassist Paul Gurvitz, which made an initial splash in America before fading out commercially over the next 3 years.
Over the next few years, Baker reappeared through various projects, including Ginger Baker's African Force and Middle Passage, that freely mixed African and Western musical influences.
In 1991, Baker surprised everyone with the release of Unseen Rain, a free-form instrumental album done almost entirely on acoustic instruments.
Finally, in 1994, he returned to Atlantic Records, which had been the US outlet for Cream's recordings, and to what he realised were his jazz roots with the triumphant Going Back Home, which featured the Ginger Baker Trio. Baker has teamed up with jazz trumpeter Ron Miles on Coward of the County, a hugely successful showcase for his jazz side which also includes a tribute to the late Cyril Davies, the British blues enthusiast who co-founded Blues Incorporated in the early 1960s.
Baker re-united with Clapton and Bruce briefly in 200x for the Cream Albert Hall concerts.